Can closing apparatus



April 24, 1934. A. K. MALMQUIST I 1,955,757

CAN CLOSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1930 4 Shets-Sheet 1 April 24, 1934- A. K. MALMQUIST 1,955,757

CAN-CLOSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a i'i' A ril 24, 1934. 'A. K. MALMQUIST 1,955,757

I CAN CLOSING APPARATUS 7 Filed Feb. 10, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet s iifli 5111 I I! I H" j] i'; m p i I H2 11 Ii ii I "ll ,i53 l we 1 l l \i H I I I 1' HIE g l |l ill April 24, 1934.

AK. MALMQUIST CAN CLOSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 24, 1934 i 1,955,555 can cnosmo APPARATUS Adolph K. Malmqnist, South Bellingham, wash.,

assignor to American Gan Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey 7 Application February 10, 1930, Serial No. 427,213

19 Claims. (01. 113-44) g This invention relates to improvements in can Fig. 4 is an elevation partly in vertical section closing apparatus, and the present application is directed specifically to improvements in a machine of the character disclosed in my application Serial No. 309,979, filed October 3rd, 1928. In the machine shown in the above mentioned application, cans with caps resting thereon are 4 successively fed into the valve of a combined vacuumizing and sealing chamber, and after the cans are subjected to reduced pressure in this chamber, and the caps have been spun or crimped into place, the cans are discharged from the valve by ejectors arranged in the pockets of the valve. The primary object of the present invention-is to improve the ejector mechanism of the can discharge assembly, so that tlie ejector elements-are readily accessible, may be easily removed or replaced, and can be successfully lubricated without disturbing vacuum conditions in the vacuumizing chamber.

Another object is to furnish a'can discharge assembly in which the ejector elements may be actuated by the same cam shaft that is employed to actuate the levers of the spinning or crimping wheels of the machine shown in my above mentioned application.

Another object is to provide a can ejecting device including rocking levers arranged within the valve of the sealing chamber; so that it will be I unnecessary to employ'any reciprocating lever shaft extendingthrough the wall of the chamber, which is liable to cause leaks.

Another object is to furnish improvements of this character, in which the ejector lever operating cam is continuously revolved, so that the ejecting levers, at the proper times, will be gradually or gently moved so as to prevent any violent throwing of the cans, even though the machine is rapidly operating.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view, of so much of a can sealing machine as is necessary for an understanding of, the present invention."

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of a detail, and illustrating. the manner in which thecan ejector levers are actuated. a

of the structure shown in Fig. 3.-

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the seamer cam shaft assembly of the improved mechanism.

I Fig. 6' is a longitudinal elevation of the same, partly in section. Figs. 7 and 8 areelevations of bushings used with the can ejector levers. 1

Fig. 9 is an elevation of one .of the can. discharge and cam lever shafts.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a washer which is arranged at the upper end of such shaft.

Fig. 11 is an elevation of one of the wearing plates used with the dischargalevers.

Figs. 12 and 13 are plan views respectively of can guides which are used with the vacuum turret or sealing chamber.

In accordance with the present invention, cans A with caps loosely applied thereto, are fed by a star wheel B .successively into the turret 85 of a sealing chamber 175. The chamber 175 is in the form of a segment having a parti-cylindrical inner surface 175a, which cooperates with the cylindrical wall 175!) of the turret. The latter is rotatably mounted on a shaft 66, and has a disk 175a at its lower end, and another disk 175d at its upper end which cooperate with the wall 175 to form a vacuum chamber. The lower end of this vacuum chamber maybe placed in communication with some suitable suction means, by way of a pipe 175e. I

Radially disposed pockets 175i are arranged in the peripheral portion of the turret, and each pocket, as the turret rotates, is adaptedto receive one of the cans from the star wheel B, and then, as the pocket moves along thewall 175, the vacuum exerted in the sealing chamber will vacuumize the can before the cap of the latter is crimped or spun, for example, by the means shown in my above mentioned application.

As the can ejectingmeans constitutes the main improvement of the present application, I will now refer tosuch ejecting means. In accordance with the present invention, each pocket 17517 is provided with a can discharge lever 151, an actuating lever therefor 154, and a cam 156 which operates the lever 154. As the cm 156 is the primary actuator, I will describe that first. That cam, as best'shown in'Figs. 1 and6, is securedby a key 157, to a rotatable shaft 88. That shaft, as indicated in Fig. 2, rotates in bushings 87 and 97, one below and the other above the cam, and both bushings are arranged in the hub 85 of the turret. The upper end of the shaft rotates in a bearing 96 which may be connected to any suitforce the can on to a delivery turn table 309 which able source of lubricant such as a grease cup 96a, so that lubricant may be fed into a passageway 96b which extends centrally along the shaft, and is provided with lateral branches 96d and 963 for feeding lubricant to the bushings 97 and 87.

Below the turret, the shaft is connected by a key 90 to a driving gear 89 which is constantly in mesh with a stationary circular rack 63, so that the shaft 88 will be continuously rotated as the turret rotates with its shaft 66.

Above the gasket 97, a double armed cam 91 is removably fixed to the shaft, for instance, by means of screws 91a, as shown in Fig. 6, and it will be readily understood that when the screws 91a are removed, and the key 90 is disconnected, the shaft 88 may be slid downwardly through the parts 91, 9'7, 156, 87 and 89. Obviously this arrangement will facilitate the renewal or replacement of parts.

It is also manifest that the present combination will allow the shaft to be lubricated, and for a portion of the same to project through the turret without any liability of affecting the vacuum conditions which must be maintained in the sealing chamber.

As the shaft 88 rotates once during each revolution of the turret, the nose of the cam 156 will gently engage a nose 154a on the rocking lever 154, so as to swing that lever outwardly, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and a finger 154b at the free end of the lever, will engage a wear plate 1540 on the ejecting lever 151, and cause the latter to swing outwardly, so as to eject a can from the pocket. It will be observed that the lever 151 is bifurcated, and the lever 154 moves between the arms of the same, and a lug 154d on the ejecting lever, strikes a stop pin 158 on the turret to limit the outward movement of the levers.

As the ejecting lever swings outwardly, it will will function to discharge the cans from the machine. Then, as the turret continues to move, a new can coming into the empty pocket from the star wheel B, will strike against the ejecting lever 151, and cause both levers to-retum to their normal positions.

Each lever is mounted on a fixed axle 153 which extends through a holein the bottom of the turret, with a tight fit, so as to prevent any leakage of air between the turret and axle, and as best shown in Fig. 9, each axle has a lubricant feeding passageway 153a that discharges through a lateral branch 153b, and mounted on the axle, is a bushing, the one 152 of the ejecting lever being shown in Fig. 7, and the one 155 of the actuating lever, being shown in Fig. 8. These bushings rotate on their respective axles, and each bushing is provided internally with lubricant channels or grooves 155a which cooperate with the discharge branches 153b of the axles to distribute the lubricant. The lubricant may be furnished to the axles by oil onnections-155c, as indicated in Fig. 4. The hub portion of each lever has a tight fit on its respective bushing, and the bushing and lever are secured on the axle by means of a washer 150, and a cap screw 150a. To prevent any rotation of the washer, the axle is provided at its upper end with a fixed pin 150b,. as shown in Fig. 9, and the washer has an aperture 1500 to receive the pin.

the levers can be readily removed and replaced. 75. In the pockets below the levers, ,I mount on shoulders of the turret, can guide plates 14! and 149, which are shown in detail in Figs. 12 and 13. These guides are so located that they do not interfere with the rocking of the levers. This will be clear from an examination of Figs. 3 and 4.

As beforestated, the present mechanism improves that disclosed in my application Serial No.

309,979, and in that application, the cams 91 on the shafts 88 function to swing levers which carry the'seaming rollers, and in the present application, I make use of these same shafts for actuating the can ejecting levers. Furthermore, the structure is such that the parts may be readily assembled or dismantled, as the various elements are detachable one from the other.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention may be readily understood, and it is manifest that changes may be made in the details disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention, as expressed in the claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character described, a turret having a can receiving pocket, a rocking ejector lever in the pocket, an actuating member in the pocket for the ejector lever, and a continuously rotating cam in the pocket for actuating said member.

2. In a .machine of, the character described, a turret having a can receiving pocket, a rocking ejector leverarranged in the pocket, a rocking actuating lever for the ejector lever, and continuously rotating means in the pocket for operating the actuating lever.

3. In a machine of the character described, a turret having a can receiving pocket, a rocking ejector lever mounted in the pocket, a rocking actuator lever for the ejector lever arranged in the pocket, said levers being movable horizontally, and a rotating cam arranged in the pocket and engaging said actuating lever.

, 4. In a machine of the character described, a can sealing turret having a can receiving pocket, a stationary axle extending into the pocket, an ejector lever pivotally mounted on the portion of the axle which extends into said pocket, means detachably securing the lever to the axle, andin the pocket means for actuating said lever.

5. In a machine of the character described, a

can sealing turret having-a can receiving pocket,

lever pivotally mounted on the axle, a washer mounted on the upper end of the axle, means to prevent the washer from moving, and means detachably securing the washer and lever to said axle.

'7. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable turret having a can receiving pocket, a can ejector lever pivotally mounted at one sideof said pocket, an actuator lever for the ejector lever, pivotally mounted at the other side of said pocket, and a rotatable cam in the pocket engaging the actuator lever and positioned between the pivotal mountings of the levers.

8. In a machine of the character described, a can sealing turrethaving a can receiving pocket and means in the pocket for ejecting a can therefrom, said means including a shaft rotatably mounted in the turret and extending into said pocket, and a cam arranged in the pocket and mounted on the intermediate portion of said shaft.

9. In a machine of the character described, a can sealing turret having a can receiving pocket provided with can ejector means, said means including a rotatable shaft carried by the turret and extending into said pocket, a cam arranged in the pocket and on said shaft, and means detachably securing the shaft to the turret.

tachably connecting the shaft to the turret.

actuating shaft, a cam on said shaft for actuating said seai'ningrollers, a seco'nd cam on said shaft, means for continuously rotating the shaft, and ejector means arranged in the pocket and actuated by said second cam. I

13. In a machine of the character described, a turret having a can receiving pocket, a shaft rotatabiy mounted in the turret, a cam detachably conr nected to the shaft for securing the same to the turret, means for moving said shaft, a second cam mounted on the shaft, and can ejector means arranged in the pocket and actuated by one of said cams.

14. A can closing machine comprising a sealing turret provided with can receiving pockets, means in each pocket for discharging a can therefrom,

' and several continuously rotating elements, one

ments, one for each of the pockets, for actuating said levers.

17. A can closing machine including a sealing turret provided with can receiving pockets, can

ejector levers in the pockets adapted to be moved into retracted position by cans entering the pockets, and several continuously rotating elements, one for each of the pockets, for moving said levers for ejecting cans from the pockets.

18. In a can closing machine, a can sealing tur-' ret provided with can receivingpockets, a can ejecting lever in each of said pockets, and a continuously rotating element in each of said pockets for actuating said ejector lever.

19. In a machine of the character described, a 3;

turret. having a pocket, a rocking can ejector lever in said pocket, a continuously rotating member for the ejector lever, and continuously moving spin- ADOLPII x. MALMQUIST. 

